Thing #16 (Get Organized with Web 2.0 Tools)

I have an iGoogle start page. The iGoolge page appealed to me because I already use so many Google applications like, email, reader, notebook, calendar, and blogger. I like the fact that when you use iGoogle you can change the theme to suit your personality. My favorite color is pink my page shows that. I also like the fact that I can move my applications around on the page so that the most important applications to me are towards the top. I visit my iGoolge page everyday because it is like one stop shopping, everything that you need all in one place.

My online calendar is very useful to me. I like to keep track of all the important dates in my life. The calendar allows me to put those dates in there and see when something is coming up. I love sending my family cards for their birthdays but with everything else happening in my life I sometimes forget the important dates. I already visit my iGoogle site everyday and with the calendar on my page it will allow me to view all the important dates coming up. I would not use the calendar for putting in upcoming homework assignments or tests because I think that is too much work. I have my planner that I take with me to class that I write in after class on important things coming up.

I have a to-do list on my iGoogle page. I am not a fan of making to-do list. The only list that I make regularly is a shopping list. I find if I do not make a shopping list I come back with things that I already have and end up forgetting the things that I went to the store in the first place. I do spend a lot of time on my computer so when I think of something that I need to buy I will put it in my list. This is very convenient for me because I do not have to stop what I am doing to get a pen and paper to write down what I need.

One tool that I found that I will use in the classroom to keep me organized is called Engrade. This tool allows me to manage classes on-line. The tools on this site include a grade book, attendance book, progress reports, assignment calendar, and on-line messaging. The main reason that I love this site is that it allows parents and students to access there grades and upcoming assignments. If the parents or students have questions they can send the teacher a messages through the site. Parents need to have access to how their children are doing in school because they can make sure that their children are doing the work to be successful in school.